PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteMicrosoft’s 2025 Game Pass Ultimate price increase did not immediately apply to some existing subscribers who kept recurring billing on—but the delay was described as applying “for now,” not as a permanent price guarantee. Reports at the time named Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India. As of October 4, 2026, the available sources do not confirm whether that treatment still applies in those markets or establish their current renewal prices.
What Microsoft said about the 2025 delay
In October 2025, GamesRadar+ reported that Microsoft told some existing subscribers on auto-recurring plans that the increase would affect new purchases, while their current subscription would continue at its existing local price “for now.” Microsoft’s reported statement described the treatment as being “in line with local requirements.” The reports do not establish which specific legal requirements applied in each country.
The email wording reproduced by GamesRadar+ said: “At this time, these increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription for the market in which you reside, as long as you are on an auto-recurring plan.” Microsoft also said it would provide advance notice before price adjustments took effect in the affected countries. GamesRadar+’s October 7, 2025 report quotes the statement and email.
Which countries were reported as included?
Tom’s Guide reported on October 9, 2025, that subscribers in Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India had reported receiving emails about the delay. It also reported that Microsoft confirmed the United States and United Kingdom were not included. These were country names reported at the time—not an official exhaustive list published in the sources reviewed here. See Tom’s Guide’s report.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
![Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Cloud Gaming Devices [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bMCG9v4vL._SL160_.jpg)
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
What happened to the U.S. price later?
The historical delay should not be confused with the latest U.S. price information. On April 21, 2026, Microsoft announced that Game Pass Ultimate’s U.S. monthly price was dropping from $29.99 to $22.99, effective that day. Microsoft also cautioned that prices may vary by region, so the U.S. figure does not establish the price in another market. Xbox Wire’s April 21, 2026 announcement gives the U.S. change.
Does the old price still apply if you stay subscribed?
The 2025 reports tied the delay to existing subscribers whose plans were set to renew automatically. They did not promise that those subscribers would keep that price indefinitely: Microsoft’s wording was “for now,” with advance notice promised before a change. The reviewed sources do not establish whether this policy remains in effect in October 2026 in any of the named markets or what local renewal price currently applies.
Rank #2
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Do not assume that cancelling and later rejoining preserves an earlier rate. GamesRadar+’s account of the 2025 email said cancelling and purchasing again would mean paying the then-current new price. That is a report about the terms communicated at the time, not confirmation of today’s rejoining price.
How to check your next charge
- Open your Microsoft account’s Services & subscriptions page and sign in with the account that holds Game Pass.
- Find the subscription and review its renewal date and the price shown for your account. Check any Microsoft email or account notice about a price change in your market.
- Use the subscription controls there if you need to change your payment method, turn recurring billing off, or switch plans. Those controls do not establish that an earlier price is still available.
Microsoft Support explains these account-management options, including that a prepaid code can be redeemed after an existing subscription expires, in its subscription payment and options guidance. It does not say that using a code bypasses market-specific pricing terms.
Rank #3
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
Separate Game Pass changes announced for 2026
Other 2026 announcements concern different parts of Game Pass and do not resolve the 2025 price-delay question. Microsoft said future Call of Duty titles would no longer join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch beginning in 2026; those titles would be added during the following holiday season, about a year later. Existing Call of Duty titles already in the library would remain available. The April price update also described Ultimate benefits including hundreds of games across console and PC, online console multiplayer, cloud gaming, in-game benefits, and major day-one releases.
Separately, Microsoft announced that monthly cloud gaming limits would begin in November 2026: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential. Eligible subscribers had previously been able to stream without these monthly hour limits. Microsoft said additional cloud playtime would be purchasable, with pricing and market availability details still to come. These are service changes, not evidence that the old price delay has ended or continued. Details are in Xbox Wire’s September 3, 2026 announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Rank #4
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
